Free, downloadable address, text can be ordered in advance

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LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II's traditional Christmas speech will be available as a podcast this year for the first time. A download can be ordered in advance for free on the British monarchy's Web site, royal officials said Friday.

Internet users can also view the speech online and a text version will be posted on the royal Web site.

In her message, broadcast throughout Britain and the Commonwealth of its former colonies on Dec. 25, the queen will speak about the importance of the relationship between the generations, according to excerpts released Friday.

"The wisdom and experience of the great religions point to the need to nurture and guide the young, and to encourage respect for the elderly," the monarch will say.

The broadcast will show the queen, wearing a green outfit, chatting to schoolchildren as she helps them make a collage of a nativity scene.

"It should twinkle rather well, shouldn't it ... especially when the lights are on it," the queen remarks.

The speech itself was filmed at Southwark Cathedral in London.

This year, for the second time, the queen has recorded a speech to the armed forces, which will air on the British Forces Broadcast Service radio network on Sunday, Christmas Eve.